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Battle Ground previews 2026 budget as staff warns sales tax may fall and property levy gain is small
Summary
Finance staff outlined a compressed 2026 budget timeline, projected revenues (property ~$4.5M, sales ~$6.5M, utilities ~$3.2M), and options including a 1% levy increase (estimated $43,000) while recommending conservative -1% sales-tax forecasting due to construction sensitivity.
Battle Ground City finance staff opened the council iscussion on Sept. 15 with a high-level kickoff for the 2026 preliminary budget, walking through timelines, revenue assumptions and options for council direction.
Megan, the city—inance lead, told council the budget calendar has three phases: departments submitted requests in May–July, council study sessions are occurring in September–October, and the city must hold three public hearings and adopt a budget by December. "This is very, very high level," Megan said, asking council to identify areas they want examined more closely before staff publishes the preliminary packet next week.
On revenue, Megan said…
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